China will step up its crackdown on pirated publications during the week-long national holidays, which start Oct. 1, said an official with the National Anti-Pornography and Anti-Piracy Office.

The "golden week" holidays are expected to see massive sales of pirated products, according to the official.

Other departments across China have been urged to carry out repeated checks on pirated and illegal publications.

Busy streets, scenic spots, railway stations, airports and docks will be closely supervised during the holidays, said the notice.

The office plans to enhance supervision over audio and video shops, electronic markets and computer software markets, and step up investigation of the whole process of copying, pressing, packaging, storing and transporting products.

China launched a 100-day anti-piracy campaign on July 15. The campaign was jointly run by 10 ministries and national departments, including the Ministry of Public Security, the State Administration of Press and Publication, the National Copyright Administration and the Ministry of Culture.

Since then, China has destroyed nearly 13 million pirated CDs, DVDs and computer software products.

Over the past two months, police and copyright officials have investigated more than 537,000 publication markets, shops, street vendors and distribution companies, and closed down 8,907 shops and street vendors, 481 publishing companies and 942 illegal websites.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2006)